Military Traditions and Heritage structures

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Monday, 10 February 2020

General Bipin Rawat, UYSM, AVSM, YSM, SM, VSM,

Chief of Defence Staff

South Block, New Delhi – 110001

Dear Gen Rawat:

Subject : Protection & Support of Military Spaces, Buildings and Heritage

Our congratulations on your recent elevation. As children of military officers, we have nothing but eternal respect for you, our forces and gratitude for the pride, tradition & honour the Armed Forces gives us. Many of us have formed a group called Heritage Beku to save and maintain our dwindling heritage, and we are grateful to make the small differences that we have. We have also fought hard to complete the National Military Memorial (NMM) in Bangalore early – please do see references to this in #InMyFathersName.

A news item today (extract below) mentioning the future reforms in Military budgets, while greatly decisive and bold, struck major concern

into the minds of heritage enthusiasts like ourselves.

‘Reforms also loom in the military housing sector with colonial bungalows giving way to future vertical housing with the armed forces generating their own resources to fund these projects. Called the “New Moti Bagh Model”, the CDS wants infrastructure agencies like the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) to fund military housing projects (as per military specifications and under its monitoring) in lieu of compensation for acquiring cantonment lands. The military plans to generate some Rs 35,000 crore in the next seven to eight years, and the defence ministry is in support of the effort. “The days of Corps Commander living on a hill with a sprawling bungalow are over. Time has come for military commanders to stay in flats and in one building,” said a senior general who didn’t want to be named.’

The future is the future, and we support that. However, our past must be revered within military tradition as well. There is one stakeholder we can always rely on to preserve our dwindling heritage. There is one force that values tradition in the only way it should be done, one institution for which tradition is non-negotiable - and that is the military. We take this our beloved Armed Forces and its pride in tradition , for granted. While supporting you fully on your decision to be more rupee-responsive and financially savvy and future constructions for the Forces, we earnestly request you to preserve and honour the existing spaces, the structures and those colonial bungalows that gives such magnificence and splendour to our country - in the way that only the military can do. Perhaps this above quote was a comment or idea, mentioned only in passing, but it has great repercussions on the skyline and pride of our country. We sincerely urge you to look at our respectful request and our suggestion in the right manner and assure us that while future buildings may be vertical; the magnificence, splendour and heritage all of the military residences, the officers mess, the grand military structures are preserved for not only the next military generation but for the entire country.

A line in response and confirmation would be much appreciated, sir.

Jai Hind.

Thanking you,

Yours Sincerely

Prasad Bidapa & Priya Chetty-Rajagopal

For Team Heritage Beku

#ArmedForces #Heritage #Tradition #ArmyMess

Protect Central College Heritage

Friday, 7 February 2020 Dr Ashwath Narayan 

Hon Deputy Chief Minister Bangalore

Dear Sir Subject: Proposed plan to raze part of Central College Campus Time after time Citizens and Bangalore are getting news and updates to their great shock and consternation about public buildings particular heritage spaces, being under threat. A month ago it was Victoria Hospital, and despite are several mails and calls on the subject the extension wing was eventually razed . The fact that there is a plan to make this into a heritage building Is excellent but needs inputs from expert , planners and special interest groups like ours. Today’s news about part of the Central College campus to be razed on basis of safety , and vertical growth and high rises planned has caused a severe anxiety. . Enough studies have been done and audits have also been undertaken which clearly establish that the buildings only need renovation and restoration and require no punitive or drastic action. The desire to build into what is what One of the most venerated and beautiful campus in the heart of our precious city strikes an icy sword into citizens heart, particularly because of the eroding heritage and historic values that are anyway disappearing. The campus history and significance is known to all. There are so many important campus buildings with architectural and environmental impact. Future vision as well as environment, flora & fauna, ongoing restoration, and Heritage Management Plan and future growth needs to be looked at comprehensively. This is a Karma Bhoomi that has raised and sustained some of the best minds in not just the state, the country, but the world. What is inherent in the Central College campus is in someway the soul of knowledge and value of education in our beloved city. This indefinable, Intangible soul is reflected in the beautifully architected red buildings, and our own version of the dreaming spires. This is a memory and a motivation. As per our information the previous audit reports did not show any major recommendations except for renovation and we earnestly request That whatever the information is available should be shared with Citizens and expert groups to see if any value can be added or the buildings saved. Any change that is required for this buildings must go through proper process and audit and at no point can this beleaguered city be under further attack. We request you to please look into this matter and share the necessary information so that we are ableTo give our feedback and help save a centralb part of our beloved city and it’s educational history and Hetitage. We look forward do your input on this at the earliest 

Inputs on Cubbon Park Smart City Project

Heritage Beku draft inputs on the Cubbon Park Lotus Pond document by Bengaluru Smart City Ltd

We need to look at Cubbon Park from the following perspectives: Environmental (biodiversity), Sustainability, Preservation and Heritage, Accessibility (Commons) and Aesthetics Proposed interventions – has detailed project report been done listing out impacts or enhancements of the ‘improvements’ on park, trees, plants, birds, animals, water resources and visitors?

• Improvements to make them safer and user friendly , provide more universal accessibility, handicapped access always welcome. • Can include porous materials that let rainwater seep through for water recharge • Proposed trails and pathways must specifically not disturb existing trees, roots, plants and must of minimum width to integrate with the landscape and not create an eyesore and look man made • Rejuvenation of ponds on sustainable principles - IISC and specialists like Dr TV Ramachandra and others could be involved • Pigeon feed area to be avoided – pigeon poop causes health problems • Seating etc. to blend with the landscape of the park and not look jarring and artificial - made to look like made of natural materials or use natural materials or use materials like fiberglass that looks like natural etc • Smart waste bins are not needed instead people should be encouraged to use them and not litter.. Segregation of waste and separate bins for each type of waste • Lotus Pond development if done to be done with waste and recycled water .. should look natural and not man made (do we need a lotus pond?) • Wetland Filtration systems would improve proposal and having wildlife scientists won board would help. • No trees to be cut or relocated for any of the proposals, roots to be protected • All boardwalks developed so far here in India look at creating a barricaded walkway around a water body but do not look into rejuvenating or cleaning the water bodies… That should be first priority and boardwalk the last priority. The board walk looks too man made and so a natural path around can be created if needed • Natural swales to be retained and cleaned and water flow to be improved - do we need artificial looking board walk and miniature walk bridges • Water purification is a must and should be first priority • Lighting with maybe solar and other renewable sources for early morning and late evening to create a safer environment… • Also enforcement against littering. • Public toilets if proposed must be sustainable, portable e-toilets coin operated etc. that work all the time and are not vandalized… • Drinking water fountains, street furniture, signage etc. to be COMPATIBLE with the natural ambiance.

Spatial contiguity and congruence is critical to a heritage structure. Already the new benches & water fountains are out of sync in concrete and granite. • Road projects to not disrupt the natural ambiance, disrupt the existing landscape and trees • New Parking areas to be avoided - if any only in areas where they do not disturb. instead use of non motorized golf carts to be encouraged. • No need for digital boards. costs a lot and looks ugly if not tastefully done. the one that is proposed next to the statue is completely out of place…maybe at the entrance. instead develop an app that lets people know of various activities • The CCTV cameras have to be carefully spaced and integrated without being eyesores. Current LED boards also must be removed as they are not useful, aesthetic or safe. They are glaringly out of place in a park and present a driving hazard. • Current Fences. Water dispensers, etc are very modern and look out of place. In addition, the Children’s library and the KAS Officers Club is not congruent with park heritage ad aesthetics and stand out poorly. Their frontage and visuals must be improved. • the plan for the lotus pond looks too man made and not necessary if done should look like a natural pond with lotuses

• Re Public Consultation on the Cubbon Park Plan o Was the public consulted for these proposals? o what was the public input…? were there design consultations? o What was the public consensus? o Was the list of gaps or problems at the Park that needed action aggregated, clearly stated and summarized?

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Annexure

Cubbon Park redevelopment under Area Based Development Projects Summary Points extracted by Heritage Beku from the Smart City Ltd Document - Protection & redevelopment of centrally located parkland • Cubbon Park - to become a local community asset” • Revitalizing the central city green through improved pedestrian connectivity and place making • Integrate green network to heritage and cultural landmarks around Cubbon park - PROTECTION AND REDEVELOPMENT OF THE CENTRALLY LOCATED PARKLAND -

Cubbon Park • 6.7 km of pedestrian and cycle network with 2 bicycle share points, 2 e toilets and water ATMs, 180 CCTV cameras and 40 smart dust bins • 1 tourist information kiosk integrated with digital information board • 150 acres of vehicle free zone in the city centre (Entry for vehicles restricted in the mornings, Sundays and national holidays) • Existing facilities for STP, RWH and re use of grey water for horticulture and landscaping • Place making through landmarks and seating spaces that will complement the surrounding heritage of Sheshadri Iyer Library, Venkatappa Art Gallery, Band Stand, Acheological Museum, Vishveshwariah Technological museum and Bal Bhavan - CITIZEN INVOLVEMENT - Over the past decade, the government of Karnataka and the local authorities in Bengaluru have been actively involving its citizens in the process of city development. Visions and goals agreed upon by sector and domain experts are presented to the citizens through various government and non-government platforms for their opinions. Apart from public grievances redressal platforms like Sahaaya, the local authority encourages citizen participation in budget allocations. Citizen initiatives aims to create a pool of informed citizens who have the ability to work on various issues important to the citizens of Bangalore and act as a pressure group to bring in transparency and accountability into the system. B.PAC etc has set up “Civic Hubs” across the city for this purpose. The Civic Hubs will also help the citizens of the ward to have easy access to government schemes, voter registration assistance, environmental initiatives etc. Extensive and elaborate public deliberations have evolved the vision and strategic blueprint of the city. The Annual Survey of Indian City Systems (ASICS) assessment for quality of public disclosure of local bodies such as information on its financial position, audit information and quality of services rendered scores Bengaluru second among 21 major Indian cities on the implementation of laws on Public Disclosure and Community Participation. Bengaluru comes in third on the mechanisms they have in place to address citizen complaints effectively. This trend of involving its citizens has continued in the Smart City Proposal, with over 15 lakh inputs enabled by several online and offline channels. Citizen participation will continue to remain a cornerstone in the success of the Smart City Mission by ensuring maximum engagement in the planning and implementation of area-based infrastructure projects at various stages such as decision-making, planning and design/formulation and financing. - PROTECTION AND REDEVELOPMENT OF CENTRALLY LOCATED PARKLAND (CUBBON PARK) - i. Tourist information kiosk ii. Place making and park beautification iii. Pedestrian and cycle network iv. Smart street lighting system v. PBS, smart parking, charging points vi. E toilets, water ATMs, smart dust bins, CCTV - Indicator - • landmark referencing and wayfinding • quality of public space • pedestrian safety • Reduced electricity consumption for street lighting • Available public amenities - Baseline - • No landmark referencing • 4 landmarks and limited furniture • Vehicle free on Sundays • 0 energy efficient lighting • Poor/absent amenities - Target - • interactive information available • 30 landmark features and 200 furniture • Vehicle free on weekends and all public holidays; 100% pedestrian and cycle network; 180 CCTV • 450 energy efficient lights • adequate amenities - Financial resources required: 6.07 cr (Capex and design) Opex = 0.19 cr Human resources: artists, landscape consultants, horticulturists, consultants for design and execution, technical support, vendors, dedicated personnel from BBMP and contractors Physical resources: Space allocation for, e-toilets, water ATMs and parking - Financial resources: 6.07 cr (Capex and design) Opex = 0.19 cr Human resources: artists, landscape consultants, horticulturists, consultants for design and execution, technical support, vendors, dedicated personnel from BBMP and contractors Physical resources: Space allocation for, e-toilets, water ATMs and parking - Completion Date - Project begins at start of Yr4 and continues till end of Yr5

Heritage Framework in RMP 31

• The RMP 2031 based on the identification, listing and spatial mapping of heritage sites, has delineated Heritage Zones and identified Heritage Precincts for Bengaluru. A Heritage Zone is the zone delineated in the Master Plan that requires special attention in terms of heritage conservation and a Heritage Precinct means and includes spaces that require conservation or preservation for historical or architectural or aesthetic or cultural or environmental or ecological purpose and walls or other boundaries of a particular area or place or building which may enclose such space by an imaginary line drawn around it

• As defined above, the heritage zones are to be treated as special areas around which the heritage sites / buildings are retained/conserved/restored in best possible manner along with guiding and regulating the proximal new development and or redevelopment as the same may be, by adopting approaches that protects, conserves and enhance the heritage value of these heritage sites.

• Proposals such as upgrading infrastructure, facilitating public transportation, providing for its better access transportation are few of the aspects in a heritage zone that are required to be promoted

• It is envisaged that the heritage zones and precincts will engage the public and seek participation in the process of development and conservation of these zones. The identified zones can be developed based on their potentials such as administrative, tourism or residential heritage zones.

• For the purpose of identifying and delineating Heritage Zones and precincts, the RMP 2031, considered the following criteria: - 1. Historicity of the Heritage area / building / monument - 2. Urban Character and Nature of activities - 3. Architectural Character and style - 4. Spatial contiguity and congruence

#CubbonPark #Heritage #BengaluruSmartCitiesLtd

Smart City and Cubbon Park Feedback.pdf

Download PDF • 8.43MB

(this and other citizen documents were submitted to Dept of Horticulture, Smart City Project, BBMP Commr , Horticulture Secy, Hon MP PV Mohan, MLA Rizwan Arshad and Hon Mayor Gautham Kumar)